Original Flavor
Original flavor is fairly self-explanatory. It's the fanfiction term for stories intentionally written to reflect the writing style of the original piece. In this case, the style of Erin Hunter: The words of Kate Cary and Cherith Baldry defined by Victoria Holmes. Pick up some of your favorite books and compare them with the writing of Warriors; all authors have a particular style.
You, as a fanfic writer, have your own style. If you prefer angst and romance, you may have a knack for poetic and sometimes over-written stories that often take the form of vignettes, concentrating on the characters innerbattles and thoughts (a style often found in David Clement-Davies popular novels The Sight, or Firebringer). An action writer may find they lack description but find strength in a face-paced read and quick dialogue. A mix of the both, found in Warriors will appeal to a greater audience of 10-13 age group.
The purpose of this article is to help you write in Original Flavor; you may choose to do so or to pursue your own style, or both. Writing in an alternate "flavor" or style can help you develop writing skills, and can also flesh out the "in character" attributes of the original books that are so appreciated by fanfic readers. The article will begin by outlaying some consistent patterns in the work of Erin Hunter.
The Following of One Character Most distinctive in the original Warriors series, the books followed Firepaw, one cat, with the exception of the prologue through all six books. While the books are still told in third person, we only view the direct thoughts of Firepaw in italics, while others may look like they're thinking things from Firepaw's point of view, we never see their thoughts directly. We also only see what Firepaw sees. If Graypaw, Lionheart and Tigerclaw leave on a patrol in the morning while Firepaw is on hunting duty, we will only see his hunt from his eyes. If Graypaw's patrol is important to the story, Firepaw may run into the patrol or see them, but we can not follow the patrol unless Firepaw sees it. This is an important part in Erin Hunter's writing style.
From Chapter 6 of "Into The Wild" by Erin Hunter Firepaw watched [Graypaw] go. He envied Graypaw, wishing he were off to join a warrior patrol. But at least he'd have something to tell Dustpaw and Sandpaw when he returned to camp. Today he had seen his first ShadowClan warrior.
As you can see, when Graypaw leaves on patrol Firepaw does not follow, and despite whether it's important to the plot or not, we can not follow Graypaw and leave Firepaw behind. Later on, in The New Prophecy the style changes slightly. Instead of following one character in each book, two stories are often running at once (The journey to Sun Drown Place and the Twoleg Destruction in the forest) for this reason it's necessary to switch between point of views. Such switches often take place at the end of chapters or at a concluded paragraph in the story, and the point of view only travels between two or three characters in each book. This means that the point of view again is not strictly third person travelling through each of the character's thoughts. Each cat (Leafpool, Brambleclaw, Squirrelflight etc.) is followed like Firepaw in the original series, at each point in the book.
From Chapter 4 of "Twilight" by Erin Hunter (Following Squirrelflight) "WindClan is fine," Onestar meowed. "Is there any reason we shouldn't be?" Squirrelflight jaws gaped in astonishment. How could he ask that, when less then a moon had passed since Mudclaw's rebellion?
From Chapter 10 of "Twilight" by Erin Hunter (Following Leafpool) Leafpool nodded and followed Mosspelt out of the camp. Already she had begun to rush through a list of the herbs she might need: juniper, watermint, chervil root . . . She shook her head. She couldn't tell exactly what she needed until she'd had a chance to examine the sick cats. 'StarClan, I need you now,' she prayed silently. 'Show me what I have to do.'
The same situation happens in The Power Of Three were the point of view steps between Jaypaw, Lionpaw, and Hollypaw in each chapter. The only point in a story with Warriors original flavor where this part can be ignored is the prologue. The prologue is invaluable to a fanfic writer because it allows for a switch in the point of view, exploring a part of the story that the main character(s) do not have to be aware of.
This set-up also makes a great excuse to write a mirrorfic from another character's point of view!
Dramatic and Poetic Prologues
Before the action picks up in a Warriors book, we often begin somewhere in the past of bygone events, or in StarClan, often witnessing a prophecy or event to define the rest of the story. This sets up the stage for dramatic (and by opinion sometimes over-written) prologues. There is often little dialogue, and the events in the often short chapter are veiled in mystery to enhance the suspense of the story. Names are not often mentioned, but character descriptions are used instead.
From the Prologue of "The Darkest Hour" by Erin Hunter Rain fell steadily, drumming on the hard black Thunderpath that led between unending rows of stone Twoleg nests. From time to time a monster snarled past, its eyes glaring, and a single Twoleg scurried along, huddled into its shiny pelt.
Two cats slipped silently around the corner, keeping close to the walls where the shadows where deepest. A skinny gray tom with a ragged ear and bright, watchful eyes went first, every hair on his body slicked dark with the wet.
From the Prologue of "Twilight" by Erin Hunter The crouching cat looked down into the water. The moon's reflection trembled like a floating leaf, and the surface of the pool glimmered with starlight cast by the countless shining shapes which lined the hollow. For a moment the only sound was the waterfall that splashed down the steepest part of the rocks.
As you can tell by those examples, and more if you care to read more of the Warriors Prologues, each is dramatic and suspenseful.
Utilize Allegiances And Setting Maps
Create up-to-date allegiances for the story you're writing! Erin Hunter uses various characters in many scenes; the Clans are a tight knit community and each cat often has input in what's going on. Decide on characters that will be secondary characters (often appearing in patrols, or speaking less on two lines per conversation, like film extras) and primary characters, who the plots will center around and will appear most. There should be a few primary characters, one or two main protagonists, and many more secondary characters.
Examine the dialogue of secondary characters carefully. It may be good to make notes on each character that will speak--you have to flesh out the character's personality in a few words. If there are relationships already predetermined or going on in the background, be sure to casually mention those as well. Two cats sharing tongues or coming off hunting together who are seen by the protagonist while examining the scene help the reader to set up what's going on and familiarize them with the Clan's customs, which are important to keep up even if the reader is used to them from canon books. Include as many characters as possible without them overwhelming the reader. They often don't have to speak at all.
From Chapter 1 of "The Sight" by Erin Hunter
Outside, the air smelled crsip and frosty. Firestar was sharing tongues with Sandstorm below Highledge. Dustpelt was with them. Brightheart and Cloudtail were grooming eachother in a pool of sunlight on the other side of the clearing. Jaykit could hear the steady lapping of their tongues like water dripping from a rain-soaked leaf.
Also familiarize yourself with a picture of the area where the story takes place. What are routes that the cats often travel to get to fourtrees? Where are the areas of the camp located, and what popular places are there to share tongues or practice fighting?
Cat Speak and Metaphors
One of the most challenging parts of Warriors original style writing is the use of metaphors and catspeak. Catspeak in itself is not too hard--the useage of works such as Twoleg, halfbrigde, kittypet etc. should come naturally to a Warriors fanfic writer, but the use of metaphors in dialogue and description is very crucial to obtain a true original flavor. Expressions from the books such as, "Better to chase away a mouse then welcome a badger." or "I stalk like a lopsided badger," or even "a fox in a fit." can give a greater sense of the setting and that there are cats speaking. Cats can only compare things with those others they have been before.
Conclusion Use pre-determined canon information to enhance Original Flavor writing. The best thing you can do is examine the characters and reread the books! Any style is hard to capture, but with practice it comes easily. Oneshots, short stories usually expressed within a page, make great practice for all sorts of fanfic writing styles. Challenge someone to an Original Flavor fic or start on your own. Hopefully this guide will help you meet your goals!
the dawn patrol